They Call Them 'Yams'
In the United Kingdom, a true yam is simply called a yam. There is no alternative common English name for this starchy tropical root vegetable of the Dioscorea genus. The key difference in the UK, compared to the United States, is that this name is not erroneously applied to the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), which is correctly and consistently called a sweet potato by English people.
Unlike in North American grocery stores, where 'yams' are almost always mislabelled sweet potatoes, British shoppers can be confident they are purchasing one of the two distinct vegetables. The typical British supermarket stocks sweet potatoes prominently, while true yams are a speciality item, most often found in international food markets catering to African, Caribbean, and Asian cuisines.
Why the Name Confusion Exists
The reason for the widespread culinary mix-up can be traced back to American history and commercial practices, not British usage. The English have maintained the botanical and culinary distinction, while the US diverged significantly.
The American Marketing Mix-Up
In the United States, the confusion started in the 1930s when Louisiana sweet potato producers needed to differentiate their new, orange-fleshed variety from the paler sweet potatoes already on the market. They began marketing their moist, sweeter version as 'yams,' a term that had been adopted by enslaved Africans who saw a resemblance to the yams they knew from home. The marketing ploy stuck, and today the US Department of Agriculture requires labels to clarify "yam" is a type of sweet potato. This marketing history never crossed the Atlantic in the same way, leaving English terminology intact.
Cultural and Historical Context
For centuries, yams have been a staple crop in many tropical regions, particularly West Africa and the Caribbean. The name 'yam' is thought to have originated from a West African word meaning 'to eat,' which was later adopted by English traders. Because of the UK's colonial history and multicultural populations, especially with strong ties to the Caribbean and Africa, the distinction between the true yam and the unrelated sweet potato has remained clear in British food culture and trade.
True Yams vs. Sweet Potatoes in the UK
Distinguishing between a true yam and a sweet potato in the UK is straightforward due to accurate labelling. However, for those visiting international markets or wanting to be absolutely sure, here is a guide to their key differences:
- Skin: A true yam has a rough, scaly, and thick brown or blackish skin, often resembling tree bark, which is difficult to peel. A sweet potato, by contrast, has a smoother, thinner, reddish-brown or orange skin.
- Flesh: Yams have a starchy, drier texture and their flesh is typically white or off-white, though some varieties can be yellow or purple. Sweet potatoes have a much softer, moister texture and come in various flesh colours, most commonly orange but also white or purple.
- Taste: Yams are less sweet and more neutral in flavour compared to sweet potatoes, which are noticeably sweeter.
- Botanical Family: Yams belong to the Dioscoreaceae family (related to lilies), while sweet potatoes are part of the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae.
Comparative Table: Yam vs. Sweet Potato
| Feature | True Yam (Dioscorea spp.) | Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical Family | Dioscoreaceae (Lily family) | Convolvulaceae (Morning glory family) |
| Appearance | Rough, bark-like skin; cylindrical shape | Smooth, thin skin; tapered ends |
| Flesh Colour | White, off-white, yellow, or purple | Orange, yellow, or pale white |
| Texture (Cooked) | Dry, starchy, and fibrous | Soft, moist, and creamy |
| Flavour Profile | Starchy, earthy, less sweet | Sweet, sometimes with nutty undertones |
| Availability in UK | International/speciality markets | Widely available in all supermarkets |
Culinary Uses and Preferences
In British cooking, sweet potatoes have grown immensely in popularity over the last few decades and are now a staple. They are baked, roasted, mashed, or turned into fries, often as a side dish or a healthier alternative to regular potatoes.
True yams, being less sweet and more starchy, are used in very different ways. They are a fundamental ingredient in African and Caribbean dishes, where their drier texture is prized for certain preparations. For instance, boiled yams may be pounded into a dough-like consistency known as fufu or served alongside hearty stews and braised meats.
For English cooks looking to experiment with true yams, a visit to a local international market is recommended. Sources like BBC Food provide various recipes that utilise true yams in authentic West African and Caribbean preparations.
Conclusion: Correct Terminology Prevails
Ultimately, the answer to what do English people call yams is simply 'yams.' The British public and food industry maintain the correct and botanically distinct name for the tropical tuber, avoiding the confusion prevalent in North America. This clarity means that when a recipe calls for sweet potatoes, English people use sweet potatoes, and when a dish requires yams, they seek out the starchy, bark-skinned tuber from specialist grocers. The distinction is a testament to the preservation of accurate culinary language and the influence of diverse cultural foodways within the UK. The next time you are in an English supermarket, you can be sure that the vegetable labelled 'sweet potato' is indeed a sweet potato, saving any culinary mix-ups.
BBC Food offers a resource for yam recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are yams and sweet potatoes the same vegetable in the UK? A: No, they are considered two distinct vegetables in the UK, correctly labelled based on their botanical differences.
Q: Why is there so much confusion between yams and sweet potatoes? A: The confusion primarily stems from US marketing tactics in the 1930s, where orange-fleshed sweet potatoes were called 'yams' to differentiate them from paler varieties.
Q: How do English people refer to the orange root vegetable that Americans call 'yams'? A: English people correctly and consistently refer to that vegetable as a sweet potato, never a yam.
Q: Where can I buy true yams in the UK? A: True yams can be found in international or ethnic food markets, rather than typical large British supermarkets, which predominantly stock sweet potatoes.
Q: How do I tell the difference between a true yam and a sweet potato? A: True yams have rough, bark-like skin and starchy, drier flesh, while sweet potatoes have smoother, thinner skin and sweeter, moister flesh.
Q: Is it safe to eat a raw yam? A: No, some varieties of true yams contain naturally occurring toxins and must be cooked thoroughly before consumption.
Q: Can I use a sweet potato as a substitute for yam in an English recipe? A: Due to their different textures and tastes, sweet potatoes are not an ideal substitute for true yams, especially in recipes where the starchy, drier texture of the yam is essential.
Q: Do English people eat yams often? A: While sweet potatoes are very popular, true yams are less common in mainstream British cuisine but are a staple in many African and Caribbean communities.
